The Loss of the S. S. Titanic: Its Story and Its Lessons

Characters

• Lawrence Beesley — Narrator; second-class passenger and survivor: Science teacher who survived in lifeboat 13 and wrote this account.
• Captain Smith — Captain of the Titanic: Veteran White Star commander on his last voyage before retirement.
• Captain Rostron — Captain of the rescue ship Carpathia: Commander whose swift, careful run through the ice saved the survivors.
• Mr. Lightoller — Second Officer; senior surviving officer: Officer who loaded boat after boat and testified at the inquiry.
• First Officer Murdock — First Officer, on watch at the collision: Officer of the watch who ordered the helm over as the iceberg loomed.
• Mr. Ismay — Chairman of the White Star Line: Head of the line who was aboard and survived the sinking.
• Mr. Boxhall — Fourth Officer: Junior officer sent away in charge of a lifeboat.
• Mr. Lowe — Fifth Officer: Officer who took a boat back to pull survivors from the water.
• Colonel Gracie — Passenger and survivor: Fellow survivor whose careful account Beesley draws on.
• Major Peuchen — Passenger, an expert yachtsman: Yachtsman sent into a boat to help work it.
• Major Butt — Passenger, military aide to the US President: American officer remembered for his composure; lost in the wreck.
• Rev. Mr. Carter — Clergyman of the Church of England: Clergyman who led the Sunday-evening hymn-singing before the collision.
• McCawley — Gymnasium instructor: Instructor who stayed at his post in the gym to the last.